Maple Leafs appear to be unwilling to deal top prospects ahead of trade deadline

The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to be busy leading up to the National Hockey League's trade deadline on Monday, March 21st.

General manager Kyle Dubas has already went out and added defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin from the Arizona Coyotes, but the need for a top four defenceman is high on his list, especially with the recent injury to Jake Muzzin.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported in his 32 Thoughts article on Friday that the Maple Leafs have checked in on Dallas Stars defenceman John Klingberg, and when it comes to adding up front, they have contacted the Vancouver Canucks about J.T. Miller.

In order to add a big name at the deadline, it's going to cost the Maple Leafs a fair amount. They currently only have three picks remaining in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, their first, second and seventh round selections. It's safe to say that trading last year's first round pick to Columbus for Nick Foligno didn't work out for the Maple Leafs, so they may be hesitant to move this year's first round pick unless they know they'll be getting a player like Klingberg, Miller, etc.

When it comes to their prospect pool, Elliotte Friedman said that the Maple Leafs are unwilling to move Topi Niemela and Matthew Knies.

The NHL's trade deadline is only 24 days away, so trade action is expected to heat up very soon.

Source: Elliotte Friedman - 32 Thoughts

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